Scott McClellan bails on John McCain; President Bush still on board

Former White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan, the consummate Bush loyalist no more, has a knack for dropping bombshells.

He did it with his tell-all book about life and lies in President Bush's inner circle.

And now comes his grinning declaration, taped for a new weekend CNN show, "D.L. Hughley Breaks the News," that he has a favorite in the presidential election, and it is not John McCain.

His face lighting up as bright as his French blue shirt, it is clear what he's going to say before he opens his mouth.

"I will be voting for Barack Obama," he declares.

So the week that began when one former top Bush administration figure, former Secretary of State Colin L. Powell, endorsed Obama ends with the endorsement of another.

White House Press Secretary Dana Perino indicated as recently as Wednesday that the president indended to vote for McCain.

— James Gerstenzang

Photo: Scott McClellan and President Bush, in 2006. Credit: Ron Edmonds / Associated Press

Comments

[Brad]

What a stupid article!!!!!!!! This was a surprise?? I think not. He is a weasel & this is a just an attempt to make it seem newsworthy.

Go Bob Barr, go!!

[Tom in Alabama]

QUESTION: Is any former Bush advisor or cabinet member supporting the GOP ticket this year? ANSWER: Only the incompetents (many) and the still unemployed like Alberto Gonzalez who are begging some right wing religious organization to put them on the payroll.

[beatupfromfeetup]

Thanks for being honest! MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!

And -- who really cares about endorsements.

Endorsements mean nothing because it is the morales, ethics, values, and commitment of a presidential candidate that MEAN THE MOST.

Obama is such an elitest that he feels the need to tell Colon Powell, Scott Mclellan and his "movie stars" what they want to hear.

The real reason these individuals are not backing McCain is because they all know that McCain will not stand for the "ear marks" and can not be bought at any price.

Obama can be bought for the right price, which is evident by his interaction and dealing with Rezko, Rev. Wright, Ayrea, etc.

[MontyMoose]

THE LAST LINE... in the article is the most ridiculous I have read!!
Bush will vote for McCain!!...
Does anyone really thinks he would vote for Obama?

Wake up DANA PERINO!!!

[lightnin]

Here's an example of "democratic" financial responsibility, tax policy, and dishonesty:

WHO screwed up Social Security??

When Social Security began the "democrats" SAID:

Participation would be VOLUNTARY.

The contributions would be TAX-DEDUCTIBLE.

The funds wouldn't be used for anything ELSE, and

interest would ADD to the account.

The payouts would NEVER BE TAXED.

LBJ & demo majorities in the House and Senate put the

funds in the General Fund so they could use it for

their pet projects (PORK), no interest adds to the

fund now!

CARTER & demo majorities in the House and Senate

gave Social Security to immigrants who had never

PAID IN!

CLINTON & demo majorities in the House and Senate

made the CONTRIBUTIONS taxable, AND made the

PAYOUTS taxable! (Al Gore cast the deciding vote on

the payouts!)

OBAMA wants to GIVE Social Security to the 11 million

ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS that are here, ALONG WITH

Medicare! (Think more or them will come then to get

in on THAT?) AND, with demo majorities in the House

and Senate, he'll SUCCEED!

AND, after all THAT, the "democrats" have the GALL to

blame Republicans for the mess Social Security is in!

[allforchange]

Wise choice. Good for him.

[Roger]

So?

Scott McClellan is hardly an influential person. Being persona non grata has its privileges, one of which is freely exercising your disloyalty.

[Greg]

Does that mean McClellan's a terrorist or just a muslim?

[John]

Scott is a brilliant guy who was given tremendous opportunity because he kissed a lot of tail to get the job. He failed to keep the confidences someone in his position is required to keep, failed miserably at his job, and abused his influence for personal gain. When called out on his trash, rather than step down with honor, he cashed in with a "tell all" book filled with such inherent lies that those in the inner circle considered it humor. If the Leader or prospective Leader of a Nation like America bothers to even answer such trash filled drivel, then he is no leader. You might hate the President, but you can't say he joined the trashy jounalists and backstabbers in the mud. At least, if nothing else, he stayed above that. This is a character flaw I see in both current candidates, they both pay attention to the trash and lose sight of the country in the meantime. Biden, well, he is already an unconvicted felon - it's just a matter of time before his campaign financing payments to his family actually proves out. Maybe Hillary will be VP after all.

[Russell4America]

That's nice. No matter who he votes for, he'll still have the stink of George Bush on him for the rest of his life. Sorry, Scott, you sold your soul to the devil. You sold our country out for a paycheck.

[John]

Ten Joe Liebermans cannot match the gravitas of one Colin Powell.

[Mickey Mouse]

Scott, Kiss the end of your 15 minutes of fame!! Which is more than you deserved.

[William]

Well, to all of you "Bushites", I voted for Reagan twice, Bush 41 twice, G.W. Bush for Governor twice, and Bush 43 once, so I'm a "Recovering Conservative".

Sorry, folks, but the "Trickle Down" econnomics of Reagan became "Vaccuum Cleaner" economics under The Republicans. I've had my money, investments, and retirement funds siphoned off by them enough now.

As for Powell and Mcclellen, they are just "Johnny-Come-Lately's............... If Powell had announced his intentions soner, it might have mattered, but the time for Powell to take a stand cme and went long before his endorsement.

As for McClellend?? He's a political opportunistm nothing more.

[Chris]

Good work, "lightnin", you successfully added white space to your rant to make it more immediately noticeable to those perusing these comments. I didn't bother to read more than a sentence of it, but you should know that caps lock does not make an argument convincing and your mention of PORK is annoying because it's a buzz word that I doubt most McCain supporters truly understand.

[Sally J.]

He's still the guy that was a total jerk to the press and public and lied for Bush constantly. Not surprising he's not voting for McCain, no one is! But his endorsement won't influence the election, Obama has won it already.

[S Chalmers]

My friends and neighbors,
Major problems are happening now in our Country.
Yes we are in an Economic Crises,.. Yes, times are bad, and yes changes have to be made for us to as a country to be back on top again. But, hear me now, please hear me out! The actors in Hollywood, and the News media like CNN, The New York Times, The Washington Post, and The Boston Globe have been trying everything they can do to create fear, and create anger in all of our minds. They are trying to use us! They are trying to cause riots, chaos, and make us burn neighborhoods, so THEY WILL HAVE A STORY TO SELL TO AMERICA, another MOVIE to make so they can profit!

[S. M. Cook]

When the only persons left in the arena are core supporters,
one discovers much as regards character.

[jimmy clark]

Scott , I thought you were a person of integrity. It appears to me I was duped along with the person who gave you the opportunity to succeed in your chosen profession. Your recent endorsement of O'Bama is the dagger in the heart of the vast number of decent people who supported you , during all those press conferences , with the liberal and bias press you professed to detest so much. I guess President Bush and I were both wrong!!! SHAME ON YOU!!!

[Mike Buck]

Way to go Scott! Welcome back from the Dark Side!

[john]

There is no fact in criticizing Obama. I see him as a 'Middle man' born to parents from different races. John McCain's tone of being aggressive can be traced in his rally's( if not hate for Obama)

[Daisy]

To all my conservative friends,

As we head towards a sharp turn to the left, take comfort in knowing the entire world isn't going in the same direction. I think lot of countries are actually moving towards the right. If Obama wins, this country won't be the same (as he promised). If Obama loses, this country still won't be the same, as it may probably break out in riots or Civil War II. Everybody (even some businesses) are getting used to the idea of government support. What I don't understand in all this is -- businesses depend on taxpayers for bailout -- and "taxpayers" depend on businesses for support (such as universal healthcare). I may have some part of the equation missing here.

I know this sounds silly, but perhaps it's time to abandon ship. What may follow will probably make the Great Depression seem like happy days.

If you're interested in moving out of the US:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Index_of_Economic_Freedom_(Historical_Rankings)

(I'm sure the current rating will drastically change for the US over the next decade given the current outlook.)

[Fuggheddabowdit . . .]

I Back McCain/Palin . . . At Least They Tell Us What They Will Do . . . In The White House . . . And They (Along with their Families) Are Proud To Be Americans . . . It Took Obama's Wife . . . Some 40-Plus Years to Be Proud To Be American (HER Words NOT Mine) . . . That Truly Scares Me . . . What Exactly Has Obama Told Us That He Will Do For Us (or Even U.S.)? All I Hear Is The Blame Game . . . (i.e. Bush This . . . Bush That . . . McCain This . . . Palin That) . . . Well Folks . . . As JFK (The Last Democratic President That I Actually Respected, Besides Jimmy Carter) . . . Once Said . . . "Ask NOT, What Your Country Can Do For You . . . But Rather . . . What You Can Do For YOUR Country . . .". Well Mr Obama . . . What Are YOU Going To Do For Your Country (That's The USA) . . . Sir?

[Dean]

In doing a quick read of the comments so far, it strikes me that few who made comments have read Scott McClellan's book. In reading the book one can understand the torment Scott went through....the soul searching....the honest reflection. Today we slam people without knowledge, without trying to understand the path taken. It is all about: does it fit with what I know. In his book....he clearly describes...how it is logical and lead his decision to back Senator Obama. A basic premise written about in the book had to do with "uniting the country"....a promise espoused by Gov. Bush....and the main reason McClellan entered the fray. I think "uniting the country" is again on his mind.

[IndependentVA]

Fuggheddabowdit . . . you have clearly not been paying attention to this race. First... those are your words, not Michelle Obama's... Everyone with any logic knows what she meant. And if you want to talk about families, why can't we talk about Todd Palin? You want to talk about someone with no respect or pride for their country? Why would someone who loves their country be a member of an organization that wants their state to leave this country? You can deny it all you want... but its a fact: Todd Palin was a member of AIP... their platform supported Alaskan separation from the United States.

Second, Obama has been the one talking about what he will do for THIS country... McCain is talking about Joe the Plumber and Socialism... All McCain is doing is attacking, he never talks about what he will do... and his choice of VP should be a clear sign that he has lost all respect for this country... Fortunately he will soon learn that this country has lost all respect for him.

Maybe you should start paying attention to reality.